Illinois’ first bobcat hunting/trapping permit draw: Completed

Bobcat Permit Lottery Drawing Completed SPRINGFIELD, IL — Those hunters and trappers who applied for 2016-2017 Illinois Bobcat Hunting and Trapping permits can check online to see whether they will be receiving a permit. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has completed the lottery drawing for 500 available bobcat hunting and trapping permits. More than 6,400 applications were received. Those whose names were drawn will be receiving their permits in the mail. Permit applicants can check their status through the IDNR website at this link: https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/furbearer/Pages/BobcatPermitLookup.aspx Bobcat hunting season dates: Nov. 10, 2016-Jan. 31, 2017 (closed Nov. 18-19 and until 6 p.m. on Nov. 20; and, closed Dec. 1-3 and until 6 p.m. on Dec. 4 during Firearm Deer Season). Bobcat trapping season dates: Nov. 5, 2016-Jan. 20, 2017 (north zone) and Nov. 10, 2016-Jan. 25, 2017 (south zone). The taking of bobcats is prohibited in the closed zone (north of U.S. Rt. 36 and east of U.S. 51/I-39) – see the map on Page 4 of the Digest of Illinois Hunting and Trapping regulations https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/HuntTrapDigest.pdf